Jennie Ung Pharm.D. APh, BCSCP | PGY-1 Residency Program Director

Education & Post-Graduate Training
– Pharm.D., University of Southern California
– PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency, LA County-University of Southern California

Biography
Dr. Jennie Ung received her Pharm.D. degree from University of Southern California and completed a PGY-1 General Practice Residency at LAC/USC in Los Angeles, CA. She holds the Advanced Practice Pharmacist licensure and is board certified in Sterile Compounding. She has over 25 years of pharmacy practice experience in clinical practice as well as pharmacy administration. Dr. Ung has worked in both private and public health sectors and held several roles including RPD, Clinical Manager, Pharmacist-in-Charge, Clinical Consultant and most recently as the Pharmacy Services Chief at a large level 1 trauma center in Los Angeles, prior to joining UCI Health.

Practice Philosophy
As RPD and a leader, my goal is provide coaching and mentoring and inspire all trainees to become well rounded practitioners – professionally, clinically, and operationally – and ensure they are prepared and competent to provide evidence based and cost-effective patient-centered pharmaceutical services. Additionally, to support staff and preceptor development to ensure our trainees receive the best training from our institution.

CORE ROTATION PRECEPTORS

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Hospital Medicine

Hadi Ale-Ali, PharmD, BCPS | Staff Pharmacist

Education & Post-Graduate Training
– B.S. Pharmacology, University of California, Santa Barbara
– Pharm.D., University of Southern California
– PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency, UCI Health

Biography
Dr. Ale-Ali is a board-certified pharmacotherapy specialist, who after completing a PGY-1 residency at UCI, stayed on as a clinical staff pharmacist at UCI. He has over seen APPE students and PGY-1 residents with rotations and research projects throughout the years. He has also been a guest lecturer at the UCI School of Pharmacy, as well as the school of Medicine. More notably, Dr. Ale-Ali has been awarded preceptor of the year twice from the UCI Health PGY-1 residency group in the past years.

Practice Philosophy
“learn by doing”

Research Interests
Anticoagulation, critical care, nutrition, cardiology, urology

Huyen “Winnie” Chen, PharmD, BCPS | Staff Pharmacist

Education & Post-Graduate Training
– B.A., University of San Diego
– Pharm.D., University of California, San Francisco
– PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency, UC Davis Health

Biography
Dr. Chen graduated from UCSF Pharmacy School in 1999 and completed a pharmacy practice residency at UC Davis the following year and stayed on as a staff pharmacist there. While at UC Davis, she had the opportunity to work as a clinical pharmacist in MICU and SICU settings. In addition, she served as a preceptor for APPE students from UCSF. In 2002, Dr. Chen decided to relocate to southern CA to be closer to family. She obtained a staff pharmacist position at UCI Health and have practiced mostly in the medical surgical wards. Dr. Chen began precepting residents in 2004 in Internal Medicine and has continued in this role ever since. She has enjoyed seeing resident pharmacists move on to the next phase in the profession as well as working closely with those who have continued their career at UCI.

Practice Philosophy
Throughout my career, I have worked at a university teaching hospital. In this practice environment, I appreciated the opportunity to teach residents and to learn daily from my colleagues and other health care workers. I enjoyed the multi-disciplinary approach to patient care which allows me to contribute to the team as a clinical pharmacist. I can help in medication management throughout the patient hospital course as well as during transition of care to ensure appropriate and safe medication use.

Hoa Huynh, PharmD, BCPS | Staff Pharmacist

Education & Post-Graduate Training
– Pharm.D., University of Utah
– PGY-1 Pharmacy Practice Residency, University of Utah Health (2015-2016)
– PGY-2 Internal Medicine Specialty Residency, University of Utah Health (2016-2017)

Biography
Dr. Hoa Huynh is board-certified in pharmacotherapy and practices as a Staff Pharmacist at UC Irvine Medical Center. He began working at UCI after completing his PGY-1 Pharmacy and PGY-2 Internal Medicine residencies at the University of Utah Health.

Practice Philosophy
To provide the highest quality, evidence-based care for my patients through collaborative work with all members of the healthcare team

Herman Johannesmeyer, PharmD, BCPS | Health Sciences Assistant Clinical Professor

Education & Post-Graduate Training
– Pharm.D., University of Arizona
– Combined Pharmacotherapy PGY-1/PGY-2, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX

Biography
Dr. Herman Johannesmeyer, Pharm.D., BCPS received his Doctor of Pharmacy Degree from the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona and completed a two-year pharmacotherapy residency at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Lubbock, Texas. Dr. Johannesmeyer provides didactic instruction in the UCI School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Doctor of Pharmacy curriculum within the renal and gastrointestinal pharmacotherapy courses. At the UCI Medical Center Dr. Johannesmeyer works as a rounding internal medicine pharmacist, working with hospital medicine physician teams to provide optimal pharmacotherapeutic treatment plans for admitted floor-status inpatients. Dr. Johannesmeyer is actively involved in the Orange County Society of Health System Pharmacists, the California Society of Health System Pharmacists, and the American College of Clinical Pharmacists.

Practice Philosophy
Provide individualized patient care that is evidence based, high quality, and high value. I believe that half of a pharmacist’s job is to provide medication when a patient’s clinical situation requires it; the other half of the job is discontinuing medications that are no longer clinically beneficial.

Research Interests
Pharmacotherapy of acute exacerbations of COPD, inpatient glycemic management

Critical Care

Mira Bakas, PharmD, BCCCP | Pharmacist Specialist

Education & Post-Graduate Training
– Pharm.D., University of Southern California (2012)
– PGY-1 Pharmacy Practice in Acute Care, Keck Medical Center of USC (2012-2013)

Biography
Dr. Mira Bakas is a board-certified critical care pharmacist (BCCCP). Dr. Bakas serves as the Neurocritical Care, Burn, Acute Pain and Palliative Care services pharmacist at UCI Medical Center. Dr. Bakas began her pharmacy career after earning her PharmD from the University of Southern California School of Pharmacy and completing a PGY1 pharmacy practice residency in acute care at Keck Medical Center of USC. She accepted a position as a clinical pharmacist at Keck and it was here that she solidified her interest in critical care.

During her time at Keck she became actively involved in the pharmacy residency selection process, while precepting APPE, IPPE and PGY1 residents in various inpatient and critical care settings. Well respected by her colleagues, both by pharmacy as well as other members of the multidisciplinary team, Dr. Bakas is a confident practitioner with a strong work ethic who worked to improve established practices and implement new clinical practice protocols. She enjoys teaching in the dynamic critical care environment and developing skills in her learners, providing a supportive and challenging environment for students and residents to become well-trained clinical pharmacists.

In 2019, she embarked on a new adventure as the pharmacist specialist in critical care, pain and palliative care at UCI. Dr. Bakas is currently involved in policy, protocol, order set and clinical pathway development, as well as pharmacy resident research and mentoring. In addition, she is an affiliate preceptor and Volunteer Associate Professor of Clinical Pharmacy Practice in the Department of Clinical Pharmacy Practice, UCI School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Practice Philosophy
Create and implement individualized patient treatment plans focused on the safe and effective use of medications through evidence-based practice applied in a multi-disciplinary team approach.

Research Interests
Acute pain, sedation in the ICU, delirium management, neurocritical care

Steven Atallah, PharmD, BCCCP | Clinical Coordinator, Critical Care Pharmacist (SICU)

Education & Post-Graduate Training
– Pharm.D., University of California, San Francisco (2011)
– PGY-1 Acute Care Residency, University of California, Irvine (2012)
– PGY-2 Critical Care Residency, Houston Methodist Hospital (2013)

Biography
Dr. Steve Atallah is a board-certified critical care pharmacist and clinical coordinator at UC Irvine Health. Dr. Atallah practices in the Surgical ICU, where he is actively engaged in quality improvement, guideline development, and research. As clinical coordinator, Dr. Atallah provides clinical oversight of pharmacy practice in both the inpatient and ambulatory care settings. Dr. Atallah is also actively involved with the PGY-1 residency program, where he currently provides leadership for research projects and the teaching certificate program.

Dr. Atallah graduated from UC San Francisco school of pharmacy and then completed a general practice PGY-1 residency at UC Irvine Health, followed by a PGY-2 critical care residency at Houston Methodist Hospital. Following residency, Dr. Atallah worked at Scripps Mercy in the ICUs and OR for two years before returning to UC Irvine Health in in 2015 as a Critical Care Pharmacist Specialist.

Practice Philosophy
Given the complexity of most critically ill patients, attention to detail, consideration of patient specific factors, and incorporation of evidence-based literature is vital in optimizing safe and effective use of medications. Effective communication and collaboration with our healthcare team is also important as we strive to improve patient care.

Research Interests
Anti-thrombotic reversal, traumatic brain injury management, pain and sedation

Lan Vu, PharmD, BCPS | Pharmacist Specialist

Education & Post-Graduate Training
– Pharm.D., University of Southern California (1996)
– PGY-1 Pharmacy Practice Residency, UCI Health (1996-1997)

Biography
Dr. Lan Vu is board-certified in pharmacotherapy and has been practicing at UCI Health since graduation after PGY1 residency. She started the role as pharmacist specialist caring for medical/cardiology ICUs shortly afterwards. She also served burn ICU patients until 2011. In 2019, she took on cardiovascular ICU service when UCI started LVAD/ECMO program. Her daily activities focus on patient care, guideline/protocol/policy/clinical pathway development, and teaching.

Besides direct patient care, she is involved with multiple committees such as Critical Care, Acute Response/Code Blue, Sedation, Advanced Heart Failure – VAD, Glycemic Performance Improvement, ICU Medication Safety Subcommittee, and Organ Donor Council. She also served as lead of UC Collaborative – Critical Care year 2021-2022. She received Preceptor of the Year award in 2019.

Practice Philosophy
Focus on acute management in the critical phase to quickly downgrade the patient to the floor by optimizing use of vasoactive drips, sedatives/analgesics, antibiotics, reversal drugs, etc. Understand the pathophysiology of disease states and mechanical devices to fully integrate pharmacological therapy into treatment and “speak the same language” as medical providers for best collaboration.

Research Interests
LVAD, ECMO, heart failure, pulmonary hypertension related topics

Lisa Perumean, PharmD, BCPS | Pediatric Staff Pharmacist

Education & Post-Graduate Training
– Pharm.D., University of Southern Nevada (2005)
– PGY-1 Pharmacy Practice Residency, UCI Health (2005-2006)

Biography
Dr. Perumean is currently a pediatric pharmacist at UC Irvine Health, spending the majority of her time in the Neonatal ICU.  She completed her pharmacy practice residency at UC Irvine and then stayed on as a staff pharmacist in the IV room.  Dr. Perumean is board-certified in pharmacotherapy and has worked with many different patient populations.  She transitioned to pediatrics in 2012 and found her home with the neonatal population.  She loves teaching and has the opportunity to precept the NICU elective rotation for PGY1 residents.  Lastly, she also is involved with teaching the neonatology fellows about neonatal pharmacology and pharmacokinetics.

Practice Philosophy
Neonatal pharmacy requires a special attention to detail.  My goal is to provide safe and effective therapy plans that are tailored to the patient’s needs.  Ensuring that my patient’s medications are accurate across the spectrum of medication therapy from ordering, dispensing and administration, then continuing with monitoring for associated effects both intended and adverse.  I strongly feel that for a population that cannot speak there is no better place to practice than at the bedside to be the eyes and ears of your patient and be their medication advocate.

Research Interests
Use of insulin in neonates and antibiotic stewardship

Leadership & Practice Management

Melanie Joe, PharmD, MPA, FCSHP | Chief Pharmacy Officer, Assoc. Director and Founding Associate Dean for Pharmacy Professional Affairs (UC Irvine School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences)

Education & Post-Graduate Training
– M.P.A. with emphasis in Health Management, Grand Canyon University (2016)
– Pharm.D., University of Southern California (1997)
– PGY-1 Pharmacy Practice Residency, Huntington Memorial Hospital (1998)
– ASHP Pharmacy Leadership Academy (2012)

Biography
Dr. Joe received a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from the University of Southern California and a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from USC School of Pharmacy. She completed an ASHP-accredited General Practice Residency in Pharmacy Practice at Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena, California and furthered her leadership training with successful completion of the ASHP Pharmacy Leadership Academy. Most recently, she received a master’s in public administration with emphasis in Health Management degree in 2016.

Dr. Joe’s pharmacy career spans 25 years. She served as a clinical pharmacist in pediatrics and has held hospital pharmacy leadership roles since 2004. Before her current position as Chief Pharmacy Officer of UCI Health, Melanie was the Director of Pharmacy of Keck Hospital of USC and USC Norris Cancer Hospital for 7 years. She joined UC Irvine Medical Center in 2014 and spearheaded the growth and development of the pharmacy enterprise, including launching three infusion pharmacies and a multi-million-dollar retail specialty pharmacy, expanding the 340B program, and fostering the advancement of clinical research.

Education has been a passion for Dr. Joe throughout her career. She developed clinical rotations in pediatrics at her practice sites, created an ASHP-accredited general practice pharmacy residency, and held multiple faculty appointments as Assistant Professor of Clinical Pharmacy Practice. Most recently, she was instrumental in creating the proposal for the UC Irvine School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (UCI SPPS), which hosted its inaugural class in 2021. She holds an appointment as UCI SPPS Associate Director and Founding Associate Dean for Pharmacy Professional Affairs and currently serves on the Clinical Faculty Search Committee and Dean’s Leadership Cabinet.

Practice Philosophy
As a leader, I adjust my style based on situational urgency and the subject matter or initiative of focus. Similarly, I adjust my approach to teaching and the modality used based on the unique teaching moment, always keeping in mind the desire to heighten the learner’s awareness, increase knowledge, and improve upon the learner’s baseline knowledge and skill. For many learners, the subject matter that I teach is new and very little information is already known. I assess the baseline knowledge of the learner and adjust style and content with the intent of taking the individual “to the next level.”

Research Interests
Acute care pharmacy operations, medication safety

Longitudinal Staffing

Rob Eastin, PharmD | Director of Pharmacy Operations

Education & Post-Graduate Training
– B.S. Biology, Duke University (1995)
– Pharm.D., University of the Pacific (2010)
– PGY-1 Pharmacy Practice, Scripps Mercy Hospital San Diego (2010-2011)

Biography
Dr. Eastin is the Director of Pharmacy Operations at UCI Health. Prior to joining UCI, he spent 12 years with Scripps Health in San Diego, where he was most recently the Director of Pharmacy for Scripps Mercy Hospital. He was previously the Director of the Central Pharmacy Production Center, a centralized hospital packaging pharmacy that provides sterile injectable preparations, produces repackaged oral solids and solutions, and administers the environmental sampling program for the five-hospital system.

Dr. Eastin received his Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Duke University. Prior to earning his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of the Pacific, he served four years as a surface warfare officer in the United States Navy and worked as a pharmaceutical sales representative for Eli Lilly and Company. He completed his PGY-1 Pharmacy Practice Residency at Scripps Mercy Hospital in 2011.

At UCI Health, Dr. Eastin has oversight of inpatient pharmacy operations as well as of four infusion center pharmacies, with two more to open over the next 18 months. He promotes interdisciplinary collaboration at the medical center with his work on the Interdisciplinary Leadership Council and the Tactic 5 group that is focused on improving the patient discharge process. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he collaborated with leaders and health care providers across UCI Health to set up mass vaccination sites for health care employees and the public. He was awarded the 2021 UCI Health ARIISE Award for Service. The ARIISE award recognizes six team members- in the areas of Accountability, Respect, Integrity, Innovation, Service, and Excellence- who made a difference in the organization and in patients’ lives.

Practice Philosophy
As a pharmacy leader, I model the behaviors of professionalism and collaboration to our team members and new leaders. I aim to be solution-oriented, so when me or my team is approaching a challenge or unforeseen obstacle, I like to look at the problem and its possible solutions as “we can-if.” I believe that a positive and optimistic mindset is an incredibly powerful tool.

Ambulatory Care

Connie Abdo, PharmD, BCPS | Pharmacist Specialist

Education & Post-Graduate Training
– Pharm.D., Loma Linda University School of Pharmacy (2012)

Biography
Dr. Connie Abdo is board-certified in pharmacotherapy. She is a Senior Staff Pharmacist at UC Irvine Health. She began her pharmacy career at Stanford Health Care in 2012 after graduating from pharmacy school at Loma Linda University, School of Pharmacy. She went on to complete a PGY-1 Pharmacy Practice Residency at Stanford Health Care.

Following completion of her PGY-1, she accepted a position with Stanford Health Care, worked per diem staffing and later she piloted the inpatient Transitions of Care Program from 2013-2015. In 2015-2016, she began her work in the ambulatory care setting at Stanford Health Care where she and her colleague piloted Clinical Pharmacy Services in the Primary Care Clinics. She joined UC Irvine Health in 2017 as a Senior Staff Pharmacist working in the anticoagulation clinics. Soon after joining UCI, she began the Chronic Care Management service in which she manages patients with uncontrolled diabetes and/or hypertension. In 2020, she joined the LVAD/Heart Failure team as the anticoagulation pharmacist.

Dr. Abdo was awarded the Apple for Preceptor Award from UCSF – School of Pharmacy in 2018-2019 and 2021-2022. In 2022, she also was awarded the Award of Excellence in Ambulatory Care at UC Irvine. Lastly, she works with all student learners and residents. She precepts APPE students from USC, UCSD, UCSF, and is now hosing UC Irvine School of Pharmacy IPPE students. She contributes to the care of patients through her face-to-face and telemedicine encounters.

Practice Philosophy
I am an anticoagulation/ambulatory care pharmacist. My goal is to help educate patients and their families on their medications and disease states. I strive to help empower them to become their own health advocates.

Research Interests
Quality improvement efforts to help expand the role of pharmacists with primary care setting. I also collaborative with our other UC partners on multi-site projects.

Michelle Nguyen, PharmD | Pharmacist Specialist

Education & Post-Graduate Training
– Pharm.D., University of California, San Francisco (1992)
– PGY-1 Pharmacy Practice Residency, VA Long Beach (1992-1993)

Biography
Dr. Michelle Nguyen is an Advanced Practice Pharmacist. She is also a Certified Anticoagulation Care Provider. After graduating from UCSF School of Pharmacy, Dr. Nguyen completed her PGY-1 Pharmacy Practice Residency at VA Long Beach. She initially worked as a clinical pharmacist at Riverside University Health System Medical Center, subsequently transferring to University of California Health as an Ambulatory Care Pharmacist Specialist. She obtained a volunteer faculty position as an assistant professor with the University of California, San Francisco School of Pharmacy and the University of California and USC School of Pharmacy. In 2022, she was awarded UCSF Long Foundation Prize for Excellence in Teaching – the highest teaching honor bestowed by the School of Pharmacy. She also received UCSF Apples for Preceptor Award in 2011, 2013, 2017, 2021.

Dr. Nguyen is committed to the training of future pharmacists. She enjoys sharing her clinical expertise and working with pharmacy residents and students. She contributes to the care of patients by actively managing patients on anticoagulant therapy, following up on transitions of care of patients who were recently discharged from the hospital, participating in research, publications, committee work, and guideline development.

Practice Philosophy
I am an ambulatory care pharmacist. My goal is to provide patient-centered care, empowering patients to manage their health by providing education about medications and their health conditions, incorporating patient’s preference in health care decisions. I collaborate with patients and other health care professionals to optimize patient outcomes.

Research Interests
Anticoagulation therapy, transitions of care management

ELECTIVE ROTATION PRECEPTORS

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Emergency Medicine

Stephen Lee, PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP | Staff Pharmacist

Education & Post-Graduate Training
– Pharm.D., University of Colorado
– PGY-1 Pharmacy Practice Residency, Medical Center of Aurora

Biography
Dr. Lee has been an emergency medicine pharmacist for almost ten years. He loves working with all his great co-workers here at UCI Medical Center. During his spare time, Dr. Lee enjoys spending time with his wife and two kids. Some of his hobbies include enjoying the great outdoors, going for a jog, rooting for the Chargers, craft beer/wine tasting, and retro video games.

Practice Philosophy
“no task is beneath you”

Research Interests
Emergency medicine, toxicology, substance abuse

Dennis Ankrah, PharmD, BCPS | Staff Pharmacist

Education & Post-Graduate Training
– Pharm.D., University of California, San Francisco (2014)
– PGY-1 Acute Care Residency, University of California, Irvine

Biography
Dr. Ankrah completed his undergraduate studies at California Polytechnic, Pomona and proudly represented the Broncos soccer program during his years there. Then he fortuitously found the profession of pharmacy and has been enjoying all the education, dynamism, and clinical excitement that comes along with it. The Emergency Department fulfills his academic curiosity and provides a fun, fast paced environment along with the drive to keep improving Dr. Ankrah’s clinical knowledge.

Practice Philosophy
Drug mechanisms of action, pharmacokinetics and pathophysiology are the backbone of everything we do. Always have a justification for your clinical decision making. Treat every patient how you would like your family member to be treated.

Research Interests
Diabetic ketoacidosis, coagulopathy with an emphasis on trauma patients

Infectious Diseases

Helen Lee, PharmD, BCPS, AQ-ID, BCIDP | Infectious Diseases Pharmacist Specialist, Antimicrobial Stewardship Co-Lead, and PGY2-ID Residency Program Director

Education & Post-Graduate Training
– Pharm.D., University of California, San Francisco
– PGY-1 Acute Care Residency, University of California, Irvine

Biography
Dr. Lee is a Pharmacist Specialist in Infectious Diseases. She is a double-board certified pharmacotherapy specialist in Pharmacotherapy (BCPS) and Infectious Diseases Pharmacotherapy (BCIDP). She graduated from UCSF School of Pharmacy and completed her post-graduate year (PGY) 1 pharmacy practice residency at UCI Health. Dr. Lee has practiced in Infectious Diseases at UCI Health for near 20 years and serves as the co-lead for antimicrobial stewardship program leading the efforts with the medical director at UCI Health.

Dr. Lee serves as the lead infectious diseases pharmacists for General Infectious Diseases Consult Service and Immunocompromised Infectious Diseases Consult Service. She manages the anti-infective formulary and the pharmacokinetic antimicrobial dosing program at UCI Health. As the program director for the PGY2-Infectious Diseases Program, Dr. Lee has mentored numerous PGY2-ID residents, PGY1 residents and Pharmacy Students on Infectious Diseases Learning Experiences.

Dr. Lee was the recipient of the Long Teaching Award by UCSF School of Pharmacy in 2016. She has served as co-investigator for several quality improvement projects involving antimicrobial utilization and presented over 10 abstracts at local and national conferences. Dr. Lee authored the chapter in Urinary Tract Infections for Pharmacotherapy-Self Assessment Plan (PSAP) in 2018 and Diagnosis and Consequences of Overdiagnosis of C. difficile in 2021.

Practice Philosophy
I am an antimicrobial pharmacotherapist. My goal is to identify opportunities to optimize antimicrobial therapy for each patient with infections. I also believe in anticipating. By anticipating antimicrobial treatment failure or treatment toxicity and formulating alternative treatment plans, we are better prepared to care for our patients tomorrow. My fundamental principle is “we treat infections, not culture results”. When we apply this important principle, we are contributing to antimicrobial stewardship practices and reducing the risk of emergence of antibiotic resistance.

Research Interests
Gram negative antibiotic resistance, C. difficile diagnostics and treatment, Antimicrobial Pharmacokinetics, Antimicrobial stewardship practices, Rapid molecular diagnostics, Antimicrobial Days of Therapy measures

Kamryn Plechot, PharmD, BCIDP | Senior Infectious Diseases Pharmacist and PGY-1 Residency Program Coordinator

Education & Post-Graduate Training
– Pharm.D., Pacific University Oregon
– PGY-1 Acute Care Residency, University of California, Irvine,
– PGY-2 Infectious Diseases, University of California, Irvine

Biography
Dr. Kamryn Plechot is a board-certified infectious diseases pharmacist. She serves as the Senior Infectious Diseases Pharmacist and PGY-1 Residency Program Coordinator at UC Irvine Health. She received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Pacific University Oregon College of Pharmacy. Following pharmacy school, Dr. Plechot completed her PGY-1 and PGY-2 infectious diseases residency at UC Irvine Health.

As a Senior Infectious Diseases Pharmacist, Dr. Plechot prioritizes antimicrobial stewardship practices for patients on high risk antimicrobial agents. She performs daily prospective audit of patients on antimicrobial agents to ensure patients are receiving the optimal guideline directed treatment. Dr. Plechot also collaborates with the Infectious Diseases consult teams to provide antimicrobial pharmacotherapy guidance for patients with complicated infections. Her interests include optimal treatment for sepsis and management of multi-drug resistant gram-negative infections. She has a passion for teaching and enjoys precepting both students and residents on infectious diseases.

As the Residency Program Coordinator, Dr. Plechot collaborates closely with Dr. Ung to support the residency program. Having completed both her PGY-1 and PGY-2 residency at UC Irvine, Dr. Plechot has a passion for giving back to the institution and building upon the excellent learning experiences offered at UC Irvine Health.

Practice Philosophy
Dr. Mark Baje taught me to always ask myself how I can go above and beyond to provide the best world class care to my patients each and every day. Because of this, I treat every patient as if they were my own family and always try to go the extra step to provide the best care possible. Dr. Melanie Joe also taught me to look at every “task” as an opportunity to learn and grow. Because of this philosophy, I have stepped out of my comfort zone and learned so many different aspects of pharmacy. I encourage all of my learners to have a similar outlook on their learning. Always ask yourself how you can go above and beyond for your patients and accept each task as an opportunity to learn something new.

Research Interests
Antimicrobial stewardship practices, Treatment of sepsis, Management of gram negative antibiotic resistance

Investigational Drug Services

Zahra Azadbadi, PharmD | IDS Pharmacy Supervisor

Education & Post-Graduate Training
– Pharm.D., University of Southern California (USC), 2011

Biography
Dr. Zahra Azadbadi is the supervisor of the Investigational Drug Service Pharmacy at UCI Health. She graduated from the USC School of Pharmacy in 2011. After graduation, she started her PGY1 at Kaiser Permanente West Los Angeles. Because of her passion for oncology, she continued her post-doctorate training and completed her PGY-2 in oncology at Loma Linda University Medical Center. Then she started her pharmacy career as an oncology pharmacist at USC Norris Cancer Center. In 2014, Dr. Azadbadi accepted a unique position at Loma Linda Children’s Hospital, where she started practicing as a Hematology/Oncology/BMT Pharmacy Specialist. In 2017, she was promoted to become the manager of Cancer Center Infusion Pharmacy. Two years after that, she decided to join UCI Health and work as the Investigational Drug Service (IDS) Pharmacy supervisor.

Practice Philosophy
Provide the excellent patient care for individuals who go through the clinical trials and great customer service to sponsors and research teams

Research Interests
New oncology drugs and supportive care in pediatrics and adults

Oncology

Benjamin Lee, PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP, BCOP | Pharmacist Specialist

Education & Post-Graduate Training
– B.S., Biochemistry & Cellular Biology (2010)
– Pharm.D., Midwestern University Chicago College of Pharmacy (2015)
– PGY-1 Pharmacy Practice Residency, UC Irvine Health Medical Center (2015-2016)

Biography
Dr. Benjamin Lee completed his undergraduate studies at the University of California, San Diego majoring in Biochemistry and Cellular Biology with a minor in Human Psychology. Dr. Lee graduated from Midwestern University Chicago College of Pharmacy in 2015 where he received his Doctor of Pharmacy degree. Upon graduation, he completed a PGY-1 Pharmacy Practice Residency at UC Irvine Health and never left! Dr. Lee is board-certified in Oncology Pharmacy (BCOP), Critical Care Pharmacy (BCCCP), and Pharmacotherapy (BCPS). He contributes to the care of patients by actively rounding with the hematology/oncology and hematopoietic stem cell transplant & cellular therapy (HSCTCT) teams, engaging in outcomes-driven research, and committee work.

Research Interests
Hematologic malignancies and cellular therapies; Acute myeloid and lymphoid leukemia, Pegaspargase, CD19-directed immunotherapies

Jean Doh, PharmD, BCOP | Senior Oncology Pharmacist

Education & Post-Graduate Training
– Pharm.D., University of Wisconsin Madison School of Pharmacy
– PGY-1 Pharmacy Practice and PGY-2 Oncology at Henry Ford Hospital

Biography
Dr. Doh is a board-certified oncology pharmacist with a clinical practice area in malignant hematology and hematopoietic stem cell transplant/cellular therapy at UC Irvine Health and NCI-designated Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center. She received her Doctor of Pharmacy at the University of Wisconsin Madison followed by a PGY-1 Pharmacy Practice Residency and PGY-2 Oncology Pharmacy Residency at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan. Prior to joining UC Irvine Health, she practiced at Henry Ford as an Oncology Specialist and an Ambulatory Oncology Pharmacist at Kaiser Riverside where she accumulated valuable experiences leading the development of oncology pharmacy’s clinical role in investigational trials, reviewing/building BEACON treatment plans, and maintaining staffing duties in a pharmacist-driven oral chemotherapy program, inpatient hematology, and a chemotherapy/infusion center. During her time so far at UC Irvine Health, she has been involved in establishing an ambulatory pharmacist clinic within a new transplant program, creating an oncology pharmacist collaborative practice agreement, rounding with the inpatient hematology team, precepting pharmacy learners on rotation, and teaching at the UC Irvine School of Pharmacy.

Practice Philosophy
Don’t be complacent with the status quo. Be a steward for positive change. It is important to acknowledge how far we’ve come, but there is always something you can do to leave your environment/circumstances better than before.

Research Interests
Malignant hematology, hematopoietic stem cell transplant/cellular therapy, oncology supportive care, pharmacy education, medication safety and medication use optimization.

Alexandre Chan, PharmD, MPH, FCCP, FISOPP, BCPS, BCOP, APh | Chair and Professor, Oncology Pharmacist

Education & Post-Graduate Training
– Pharm.D., Rutgers University (2004), Master of Public Health, National University of Singapore (2010)
– PGY-1 University of California, San Francisco (2005)
– PGY-2 Hematology/Oncology, UC Davis (2006)

Biography
Professor Alexandre Chan is a Founding Chair and Professor in Clinical Pharmacy at University of California, Irvine (UCI) School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences. He is also affiliated with the Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center and National Cancer Center Singapore. A board-certified specialist in Pharmacotherapy and Oncology Pharmacy, as well as an Advanced Practice Pharmacist in the State of California, Alex has published >250 full-length peer-reviewed manuscripts in a wide array of cancer supportive care and survivorship topics, with a special interest in late side effects of cancer treatment such as cancer-related cognitive impairment. Alex is an elected Fellow of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy and the International Society of Oncology Pharmacy Practitioners (ISOPP). He was a Past President of ISOPP and a current Board Member of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer. He is also appointed as a Specialty Council member for the Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS) Oncology Pharmacy Specialty Council.

Practice Philosophy
The greatest pleasure in life is doing what others say you cannot do.

Research Interests
Cancer-related cognitive impairment (chemo brain), cancer supportive care, pharmacogenomics, clinical pharmacy

ONCOLOGY INFUSION

Transplant

Cynthia Chan, PharmD | Pharmacist Specialist

Education & Post-Graduate Training
– Pharm.D., University of Southern California (USC), 2011
– PGY-1 Acute Care Residency, University of Southern California, 2011-2012

Biography
Dr. Cynthia Chan has been a Board-Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist since 2013. She is currently a Pharmacy Specialist at the UCI Health. Dr. Chan graduated from pharmacy school in 2011 from the University of Southern California, where she was the class president of her graduating class. Afterward, she continued at the University of Southern California where she completed her PGY1 residency in Acute Care Pharmacy at Keck Medical Center of USC and LAC+USC hospitals. Having completed her PGY1 residency, she then joined UCI Health as a solid organ transplant pharmacist, specializing in kidney and pancreas transplantation. She precepts many pharmacy residents from UCI Health, and also has volunteer faculty position from the University of California, San Francisco School of Pharmacy and the University of California, Irvine School of Pharmacy.

Practice Philosophy
It is my pleasure to precept pharmacy students and residents on their solid organ transplantation rotation. It is my goal for them to develop an understanding of why transplant patients are a unique population and how that may affect medication management. Beyond that, I hope to convey my endless amazement of the field of transplantation and how it can positively affect patients’ quality and duration of life.

Research Interests
Kidney Transplantation, Pancreas Transplantation

Informatics & Automation

Ming Pham, PharmD | Pharmacy Systems Administrator

Education & Post-Graduate Training
– Pharm.D., Mercer University (2010)

Biography
Dr. Ming Pham specializes in managing existing pharmacy automation and technology and implementing new technologies. After college, Ming began his professional career working as an IT consultant for fortune 500 clients where he gained exposure to IT with different project teams and industries. After an impactful project for the DOD where he served as team lead managing software developers, he wanted to dedicate his efforts to making a difference in healthcare.

After receiving his Pharm.D. in 2010 from Mercer University, Dr. Pham worked as an Informatics Pharmacist for over four years at an acute care hospital with over 500 beds where he validated EMR updates, built order sets, supported technology (Pyxis, Talyst carousel, Alaris infusion pumps) and implemented technology (DoseEdge, 340B split-billing software, Pyxis ES, NEPS med labels, medication reconciliation, e-prescribing). Dr. Pham joined UCI Health in 2017 and has had numerous project roles to successfully implement TraceLink, iPack, Pyxis ES, Codonics, Vestigo, MacroHelix 340B, MedEx TraySafe, ParataMax and a number of Pyxis implementations to support UCI growth. Dr. Pham is a member of the Controlled Substance Task Force, Pump Safety Committee, and currently leading the UC Informatics and Automation collab.

Practice Philosophy
My goal is to optimize existing pharmacy automation and technology to enhance safety, efficiency and availability. I’m passionate about implementing new technology that improves the medication use process.

Research Interests
Automation and impact to medication safety

PSYCHIATRIC PRACTICE

Farah Khorassani, PharmD, BCPP | Health Sciences Associate Clinical Professor

Education & Post-Graduate Training
– Pharm.D., Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
– PGY-1 New York-Presbyterian Hospital: Cornell and Columbia University Medical Center
– PGY-2 Psychiatric Practice at UNC Hospital

Biography
Dr. Farah Khorassani is a board-certified psychiatric pharmacist and health sciences associate clinical professor at the University of California, Irvine School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences. As part of her academic appointment, she also practices as a clinical pharmacist in psychiatry at UCI Health. She received her BA in Chemistry from the University at Buffalo in Buffalo, NY and her PharmD from Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in Worcester, MA. She went on to complete a PGY1 in pharmacy practice at New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Cornell and Columbia University Medical Center and a PGY2 in Psychiatric Practice at University of North Carolina Hospitals. Her research interests include the pharmacotherapy of serious mental illness, long-acting injectable antipsychotics, pharmacogenomics in psychiatry, and student mental health.

Practice Philosophy
My goal is to consistently apply evidence-based psychopharmacology to optimize medication regimens and reduce unnecessary polypharmacy. A guiding principle in psychiatry is that the best medication for a patient is one that they will take.

Research Interests
Pharmacotherapy of serious mental illness, long-acting injectable antipsychotics, pharmacogenomics in psychiatry, student mental health.